14 May, 2024
Good Housekeeping - 11 places that are even better when you go off season
Posted on 26 January, 2024
Image by Dimitris Vetsikas from Pixabay
Written by Rhonda Carrier for Good Housekeeping
With overtourism an increasing problem in certain very coveted destinations, leading to long queues at attractions and soaring hotel and restaurant prices at key times of year, we’ve turned a fresh eye on some iconic places you don’ want to miss out on.
From sun-drenched Mediterranean islands to soaring Alpine peaks, and blissful Adriatic beaches to shimmering lakes or lochs, our pick of places that are even better out of season are worth a browse.
Here's where to go if you're looking to beat the crowds and travel in the shoulder or low season for your next holiday.
1 Puglia in April
Peak season: June–August, plus the Easter and Christmas holidays
Off-peak season: April, May, September and October (shoulder), November–March (low)
May, September, and October are all brilliant months for discovering this southern Italian region forming the heel of the country’s boot – a region not only of gorgeous Mediterranean beaches but of conical-roofed trulli stone huts, whitewashed hill towns, stunning baroque architecture and farms.
With temperatures exceeding 24°C in late spring and early autumn, you can still swim in the sea and go cycling outside the heat of summer. Autumn is also the time to see the region’s olive harvest in action – perhaps first hand, on a farm visit.
Our six-day escorted tour of Puglia takes you to vineyards, olive farms and bakeries, with departures in April, May and October 2024.
2 Lake Annecy in May or October
Peak season: June–August
Off-peak season: April, May, September and October (shoulder), November–March (low)
This is no less the purest lake in Europe thanks to a half-century of committed conservation work. It’s best visited in mid-May or June to avoid the crowds and hotel rates of high summer, for which you need to book very far ahead.
These are ideal months for the outdoors activities that are the chief lure of the lake, including cycling on the lakeside path (Voie Verte), mountain biking, canyoning, sailing, rowing, wakeboarding, water-skiing and paragliding over the sparkling waters (Annecy is one of the world's top spots for the sport). You can also hike or trail-run the nearby mountains La Tourmette and Le Semnoz.
In winter, meanwhile, you could feasibly stay by the lake and go skiing for the day as resorts such as gorgeous La Clusaz or its cute neighbour Le Grand Bornand.
You can visit the lake shores on a Good Housekeepings six-day tour including a trip on Mont Blanc Express, with 2024 departures in May, September and October.
3 Malta in May or September
Peak season: July and August
Off-peak season: May, June, September and Oct (shoulder), November–April (low)
This bewitching Mediterranean island can be fiendishly busy during the main school holidays; if you want summer warmth, June and September are less crowded, while April, May and October are increasingly popular – still balmy and with some great deals.
But even winter can be thrilling here – you can’t swim, but you can have spellbinding cultural sights such as the Mdina and the megalithic temples almost to yourself, as well as experiencing Malta’s growing food and wine scene.
Our eight-day Malta and Gozo tour in May or September includes beaches, divine food and drink, and fascinating history tours.
4 Swiss Alps in October
Peak season: Mid-June to early September, December to March for skiing
Off-peak season: Late September–November, May–mid June (shoulder); April and November (low)
The mountains get busy in summer for their lovely walking and hiking trails and for riding the many scenic railways here, including the Glacier Express, Bernina Express and Mont Blanc Express. For skiing, Christmas, New Year and February half-term are the most popular weeks, as in other ski destinations.
May and September can be as alluring as summer, with warm weather perfect for walking, hiking and biking. Late spring sees Alpine wildflowers strewn across the meadows, trees in bloom and cows heading out to pasture. Meanwhile, September brings the grape harvest.
Our Swiss Alps trip in March and October 2024 includes a trip aboard the most scenic section of the Glacier Express route.
5 Dalmatia in May
Peak season: June–August
Off-peak season: May, September and October (shoulder), Nov-April (low)
This spellbinding seaside stretch running all the way from Zadar with its Roman and Venetian ruins via Split to Dubrovnik is the most popular part of the Croatian coastline so gets very busy during the summer months.
Dubrovnik in particular does have a reputation for crowding, but in May, early June, September and early October, you’ll enjoy warm weather and water but fewer crowds because there are less big cruise ships. Spring, when all the flowers come ino bloom and lots of cultural festivals take place, is also a lovely time to visit Croatia. And lastly, Croatian Christmas markets in major cities also make the country an interesting festive option.
Good Housekeeping's eight-day sailing adventure along Croatia's coastline aboard a boutique ship departs in early May.
6 Venice in April
Peak season: February, June–August
Off-peak season: March–May and September–November (shoulder), December and January
La Serenissima can get very crowded – often stressfully so – in the summer months, making it difficult to appreciate its architectural wonders and other charms. Prices are sky-high too. In spring, autumn and winter (except Carnevale in February), the milder temperatures are more pleasant for sightseeing.
Winter might see flooding, especially in St Mark's Square and along the Zattere promenade (you might even see waiters in tuxedos and wellies), but raised wooden walkways are set up. Sometimes mist or fog swathes the city, but that only serves to make it even more mysterious and atmospheric. The sites have shorter opening hours, but there are no queues and prices are lower (hotel rates by as much as 25–50%).
Good Housekeeping's fabulous eight-day cruise around Venice and the romantic Veneto with appearances by top chef James Martin departs on 28th April 2024 for the perfect off-peak jaunt around the city.
7 Lake Garda
Peak season: Mid-June to mid-September
Off-peak season: April–mid-June, mid-September to October (shoulder), November–March (low)
The geography of Italy’s ‘Lake District’ means that in high season, traffic can gridlock. Lake Garda is also a highly seasonal place, however, with some hotels, restaurants and other venues closing up for the entire winter.
To avoid the crowds and highest prices, schedule your rip for April to mid-June or mid-September to October. Temperatures are good enough for sightseeing and many outdoor activities. And in spring the many jawdroppingly beautiful gardens dotting the Garda lakeshore are at their most delightful.
Our escorted tour of the spectacular Dolomites and exquisite Lake Garda runs in May and late September 2024.
8 Scottish Highlands in April
Peak season: June–August
Off-peak season: April, May, September and October (shoulder), November–March (low)
The warmest weather in the mountains of northwest Scotland corresponds with much of the midge season – giving more of a reason to avoid the time of year that is most popular with humans as well as flying insects!.
The Scottish Highlands is actually a year-round destination, but April and October are particularly attractive months, free of midges and of the more unpredictable weather of winter (although these landscapes are incredible when swathed in snow).
Our six-night luxury yacht cruise of the Scottish Highlands and islands takes place in April and October.
9 Norfolk in May
Peak season: June–August
Off-peak season: May, September and October (shoulder), November–April (low)
Summer staycationers take over the beaches of Norfolk during the warmest months, but the rest of the year there’s plenty of room to manoeuvre. You can also start boating on the Broads from as early as February and carry on to the end of October.
For wildlife lovers, May is the most exciting month as migrant songbirds flood in from the south and the wetlands and marshes come to life. September is equally alluring, with good weather, warm sea water and lots of wildlife to spot, but are fewer humans. And October is great for sighting rare birds.
Our trip to Norfolk including a cruise along the Broads on a paddle steamer and tour of royal retreat Sandringham with TV's Lucy Worsley departs in April, May and September.
10 Bordeaux in April
Peak season: June to September
Off-peak season: October, April and May (shoulder), November–March (low)
Spring or early autumn are the best time to visit this city and the wine-growing region of the same name if you want to avoid the crowds and high prices of high summer. Outside both of these times, the vineyards are closed. If that doesn’t worry you, the city with its Christmas market is a tempting place for a foodie festive break – after all, you can still enjoy local wine in restaurants.
In April, rising temperatures and decreasing rainfall make for some gorgeous days (temperatures of 13-18°C).
This is the perfect time to explore on a cruise such our Bordeaux and Médoc wine region itinerary with celebrity chef Monica Galetti.
11 Lake Como in April and September
Peak season: Mid-June to mid-September
Off-peak season: March–mid June, mid-September to October (shoulder), November–February (low)
Como’s lakeside town and villages are more spread out than Garda’s, so it never seems as busy as its bigger sister. That said, it’s still at its most hectic in summer, as you’d expect. And similarly, in winter many activities are off the agenda and many venues are closed.
But come in spring or autumn and you’re rewarded with the scenery at its loveliest. Lake Como has its own microclimate that makes March and April especially gorgeous thanks to wisteria, early hydrangeas and spring flowers bursting back into life all around the lake.
And the charming Como town of Colico is a great place for absorbing some stunning Alpine scenery, which is why our trip combining Como, St Moritz and the Bernina Railway has departures not only in April, May and September, but also in December 2024.
To read the original article, please visit: www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/lifestyle/travel/g45619273/off-peak-low-shoulder-season-holidays/
Tags:
Share this:
